So, imagine a universe where the Just Partners events didn't happen. Megan was never caught by Lusamine, and therefore never became Type:Null. This means she never met Gladion. And, imagine that as soon as their parents died (actually died this time), the Artemus children ran away in fear of them being sent to an orphanage. Imagine them living on the streets, having to steal to survive. Imagine that after the events of Pokemon Sun and Moon, Gladion wanted to protect Alola and became a police officer. Imagine what happens when they meet now.

Actually you don't have to imagine that part, because it's right here :)

Enjoy. Or, don't enjoy... Whatever floats your boat.

"All nearby units to Hau'oli city! There has been a robbery at the shopping district!"

Jackie and Gladion flinched at the urgent message that came from their walkie talkies. They exchanged glances before breaking into a run towards the said city. It didn't take long since they were just on the outskirts. The two officers set their sites on the shopping district, hoping to catch the robber before they even left the building.

That is until Gladion saw a dark figure move in an alleyway.

Jackie didn't notice him stop and therefore kept running, which Gladion allowed since there was a chance this was just a wild pokemon. He pressed his back against the wall and peeked around the corner, only to notice a hooded person crouched by one of the dumpsters. They seemed to be staring at something inside a black bag.

Gladion figured that was enough evidence.

"Freeze!" He ordered, jumping out from around the corner.

The person flinched and turned their head to him, staring for about two seconds before bolting down the alley. Gladion chased after them, surprised at how fast and agile they were as they swerved past bins and cardboard boxes. They purposefully knocked into one of the stacks, sending the boxes tumbling to block the officer's path.

"Shit." He hissed, still pushing his legs to go faster. He mustered up enough strength to jump over the obstacle, stumbling slightly when landing before breaking into a run again. The hooded figure glanced at him from over their shoulder before making a sharp turn, running down another alleyway. Gladion smirked. He knew this alley ended with a fence.

He began gaining on the thief, now able to hear their heavy breaths echo around the area. The fence soon came into view, but the person didn't stop running.

Once getting close enough Gladion reached out, grabbing the back of the person's hoodie in hopes to slow them down.

It didn't.

Quickly they stuffed the handle of their bag into their mouth before holding their arms out behind them, shaking off their hoodie and leaving it with the officer before leaping. They pushed themselves over the fence and landed on the other side, taking the bag out of their mouth before turning to Gladion.

He skidded to a halt, knowing he wasn't able to make the jump as he stared at the thief. His eyes widened when he finally saw their face.

Or... her face.

She smirked at him, her aqua blue eyes filled with mischief as she panted. Her long brownish blonde hair was slightly tangled from her hood, and fell over part of her face. She was pale, almost as pale as the officer, and had a few stray freckles dotting her now bare arms.

With a scoff she pulled down her eyelid and stuck out her tongue before turning and running away from him. He growled, staring down at her hoodie in his hands as if it mocked him. He looked around for a moment, hoping to find a way around the damn fence.

His lips curled upwards once spotting a ladder leading to one of the buildings' roofs.

The thief glanced over her shoulder to see if that annoying officer was following her, only to grin once seeing she was alone in the alley. She slowed into a walk, tossing the bag she held into the air before catching it.

"Too easy..." She snickered.

"Oh, really?" Someone mused from behind her "You talk as if this is over."

She gasped and attempted to turn, ready to punch the guy in the face, but he grabbed her wrist and twisted it behind her back.

Gladion pressed her against a wall, his other hand pushing against her back to ensure she wouldn't escape. She fought against his grasp, but it was worthless against his crazy strength. She growled, glaring at him from over her shoulder.

"You are under arrest," He declared, taking his hand off her back and reaching for his belt "Anything you say or do can and will--"

"Be used against me, blah blah blah... I get it." She spat, rolling her eyes.

The officer grunted and grabbed his pair of handcuffs, using them to bind the girl's hands before taking the bag from her. He grabbed her arm and yanked her away from the wall, using his other hand to grip the back of her shirt.

"Let's go, toots."

"Piss off."

---

He watched through the window as an officer questioned the girl, the item she stole from the shopping district on the table in front of her. She stared boredly up at the cop, her lips forming a pout as she continued to remain silent. The woman seemed to have enough of her bullshit and stormed out, turning to Gladion with flaring nostrils.

"She's all yours." She stated, though it sounded like more of an order to get in there. The male nodded.

"Thank you, Wendy."

He turned to the thief once again, watching as she stared down at her clasped hands in front of her, which were still handcuffed together. He huffed, taking off his hat to run a hand through his hair before entering the room.

The girl glanced up, face tightening as soon as she saw him.

"What do you want?"

He didn't falter, taking a seat in front of the girl and placing his hat on the table in front of him. He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair "Let's chat."

She scoffed "What makes you think I'm gonna talk?"

"Oh believe me, sweetheart," He leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm "I'll get it out of you eventually."

"Psh. Good luck."

He ignored her mocking tone and gestured towards the bag in the middle of the table, his emerald eyes stern "Why did you steal this?"

She shrugged, staring down at her cuffed wrists "Felt like it."

Gladion rolled his eyes and took the bag, before emptying the contents onto the table "ten kilograms of gold and silver."

She yawned "Yeah, so?"

"So, I find it hard to believe you'd steal such expensive jewelry just because you 'felt like it'." His eyes narrowed.

The girl leaned back in her chair, giving the officer a bored look "Well fyi, I don't care what you believe, officer."

"You're making things more difficult than they need to be."

"Again, don't ca--"

Gladion slammed his hands onto the table. His face was now inches away from hers as she stared at him baffled. An audible gulp came from her throat. She actually felt intimidated.

"I know all about you..." He muttered. Her eyes widened.

"W-What?"

"The Artemus children. Orphaned and homeless. They travel Alola, continuously on the run from the law." He leaned in closer, their noses almost touching "Sound familiar?"

The girl gulped, trying hard not to give in to his intimidation, or his charm. Taking the hint, Gladion continued.

"Megan Artemus. Age: 17, and the youngest of the siblings. From the age of six you've fended for yourself along with your brother and sister, stealing just to stay alive. You've spent practically your entire life on the run; it's unbelievable you've lasted this long without being caught." He lifted her chin with his finger "But I wonder... You couldn't have done this alone..."

Megan clenched her jaw. She knew where this was going.

"Where are your siblings, Megan?" Gladion asked in a low, demanding voice.

Megan let a growl escape her throat. She wanted to yank her chin out of his grasp, but he held her there. She was forced to maintain eye contact with the man. There was no way she was going to sell out her siblings like that. They basically raised her- they were the reason she's still alive.

And she was not going to repay that with betrayal.

"Sorry. My lips are sealed."

Gladion sighed, releasing her and sitting back down in his chair "I don't get you three... You could've lived a normal life if you went to an orphanage--"

It was her turn to hit the table "DON'T YOU DARE!"

His eyes widened. It wasn't his intention to hit a nerve, but that's what seemed to happen. He watched as her eyes became glossy.

"Don't you dare act like you know what's best for me..." She snarled "You don't know me. You don't know my brother. And, you don't know my sister. We are all each other have. If we went to that place we would've been separated. From the beginning, we stuck together... We didn't let anything tear us apart."

Gladion listened, and when she finished he stayed silent. He let her calm herself down, until all that came from her were a few sniffles. It was obvious to him that she had been holding back from crying ever since she was brought to the station. He did feel bad, but he had a job to do.

"And look where that's gotten you." He coldly said "A bunch of thieves, only barely able to escape our rader on numerous occasions. And now here you are. Caught. In handcuffs. Possibly only days away from trial. And this time, neither your big brother or sister can protect you."

A soft sob escaped from Megan's lips.

"Do you really think sticking together was worth it?"

She was silent. Her eyes were fixed on her lap as she continued to softly cry. Gladion sighed, getting up from his seat and walking towards the door, only to stop and glance at her from over his shoulder.

"You know..." He began, pausing to find the right words to say "I was a lot like you, once..."

She slowly looked up at him.

"I ran from home, too. I worked for a gang of thugs for awhile, accomplishing deeds for them for money. But I realised my mistakes and turned myself around, making things right... You can do the same, if you choose to."

And with that he left, leaving Megan to think about his words. Was he right? Could she change, when stealing was the only thing she knew?

And if she did... Would it be the right choice?

Gladion took one last glimpse through the window, staring at the little thief he had arrested only a couple hours ago. Except... he didn't see a thief anymore.

He saw a girl who was left homeless and penniless from her parents' death. He saw a child who learned the harsh truth of reality too early. He saw a sister who would give up the chance of freedom to protect her siblings.

And most of all... he saw himself.

He placed a hand on the glass as if to reach out to her, even though she couldn't see. He wanted to help her. He wanted to just uncuff her and send her back to her family.

...But he couldn't. It was his job to follow the law.

If only... if only he could forget about the law for a moment. If only he could make an exception for her.

It was the first time, that Gladion Aether didn't want to do the right thing.